The Green Forest King (2)
Having finished the work assigned to him, Cheonhwa returned to the Zhongnan Sect together with Yeobhwa and Myeonghwa.
The moment he set foot back in the sect, the first thing Cheonhwa did was begin learning the Hyeoncheon-jingi.
Perhaps it was thanks to the foundation of Zhongnan martial arts he had gained by mastering the Gyunchon Chukgi-gong, combined with the sense of detached observation he had cultivated while perfecting the Hocheon-gigong.
Contrary to his worries, he entered the threshold of the Hyeoncheon-jingi with surprising ease.
The Profound Heaven True Qi was different from the Balanced Heaven Qi or the Vast Heaven Qi in several ways. The more the energy was condensed, the stronger its cold-yin nature became, allowing it to be wielded as ice arts. Conversely, when the true qi was left free to circulate, it granted exceptional regenerative power. Just as the Hocheon-gigong grew more efficient the further one progressed, higher mastery of the Hyeoncheon-jingi would make one outstanding at both defending against and recovering from internal injuries.
And the side effects from the cold-yin qi are milder than I expected.
The Hyeoncheon-jingi was a mental method that even Yeonhwa—the foremost genius of their generation—had struggled with. Until one fully embodied the Profound Heaven Qi, the cold-yin influence struck at irregular intervals. Right after first entry, simply executing a single martial form was enough to freeze the meridians solid.
But because I mastered the Gyunchon Chukgi-gong, I can unleash four or five forms in a row and still hold up fine.
This was the principle of Earth overcoming Water: the body refined through the Balanced Heaven Qi Accumulation Art simply endured the cold-yin qi of the Hyeoncheon-jingi.
It really drives home how unique Zhongnan’s system of mental methods is.
Most internal arts absorbed a lower method’s true qi into a higher one and advanced into a loftier realm. Zhongnan, however, took the form of different-natured internal arts resonating with one another.
The result is the mutual generation and mutual conquest of the Five Elements.
Through mutual generation the strengths of each method were amplified; through mutual conquest their weaknesses were suppressed. At the heart of that harmony lay the Gyunchon Chukgi-gong.
Its energy is earth qi—therefore its nature is embrace and balance.
Earth was the ground that contained fire, water, wood, and metal all at once. Because the body itself had been forged upon that principle, it could accept every martial art of the Zhongnan Sect.
And by weaving the various energies into one, even a shortfall in total internal power can be compensated.
Learning multiple methods inevitably slowed pure accumulation compared with focusing on a single art, yet the layered resonance of true qi through Five-Element generation more than offset that drawback.
To make proper use of that layering, I need to raise my mastery of the Hyeoncheon-jingi quickly.
Fortunately, the mastery of the Gyunchon Chukgi-gong was already complete, and roughly half the potency of the Maehyangdan still remained. He would progress faster than he had with the Hocheon-gigong.
By the time I’ve fully digested the Maehyangdan, I should reach minor completion.
Yet contrary to Cheonhwa’s expectations, the quiet stretch of training he had hoped for never arrived.
The moment he stepped out of the training cave, a commotion reached his ears. When he learned the reason for the uproar, Cheonhwa could scarcely believe what he was hearing.
“The Green Forest King has come?”
The unprecedented visit of a Peerless Expert who commanded one corner of the Six Tyrant Coalition shook the entire Zhongnan Sect.
Reception Hall.
In the pavilion prepared exactly as its name suggested—for receiving honored guests—sat a towering man who made no attempt to conceal his heavy presence. Opposite him sat Okwon Jinin, Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect.
The two regarded each other in silence. At last it was Okwon Jinin who broke the weighty quiet.
“So tell me—what business brings the overall chieftain who rules the Green Forest all the way to Zhongnan?”
“Yeonggang Mountain Stronghold.”
The giant—the Green Forest King—answered with a single curt phrase. The old Taoist nodded once, as though he had expected nothing else.
“Is your purpose war, or dialogue?”
“Dialogue.”
Okwon Jinin’s eyes widened at the reply. The Green Forest King gave a short, dry chuckle.
“Even by Green Forest standards, Yeonggang Mountain Stronghold was garbage. Our rule is to avoid needless fights and stay on good terms with the neighbors whenever possible. Yet they ignored every scrap of that, repeating plunder and abduction. When I first heard the reports I wanted to smash their skulls myself.”
A savage smile curved his lips as he continued.
“And yet Zhongnan cleaned up the trash for us before we even had to dirty our hands. Far from being grateful, if I came here picking a fight I’d be the real bastard. If anything, I’m itching to land a solid blow on Muksangbang for stabbing us in the back.”
“You mean you wish to cooperate with Zhongnan to resolve the matter involving Muksangbang?”
“Exactly that.”
“That will put you at odds with Muksangbang.”
“We’re all lumped together as the Six Tyrant Coalition, but in the end we’re separate factions. More importantly, if I don’t pay back a hit I’ve taken, it doesn’t sit right. For that, I don’t mind joining hands with the orthodox side.”
Okwon Jinin sensed not a single lie in the Green Forest King’s words. The instinct of a Peerless Expert could weigh truth and falsehood in speech itself.
Thus, through the Green Forest King’s active offer of alliance, the Zhongnan Sect entered into an agreement with the Green Forest to settle the affair entangled with Muksangbang.
“Ah—by the way, I heard there are third-generation disciples of Zhongnan who half-destroyed Yeonggang Mountain Stronghold. Mind if I take a look at their faces?”
“You may, of course. But first I would like to hear why you seek those third-generation disciples.”
“Three fledglings who’ve barely tasted the jianghu cleaned out Yeonggang Mountain Stronghold. That piqued my curiosity.”
Yeonggang Mountain Stronghold was not large, yet neither was it small. That a mere three people had smashed it to pieces—even if only half the force had remained—was no small feat for newcomers to the martial world. He wanted to see what sort of seedlings were growing here.
“As a reward for handling things on our behalf, I mean to give them a valuable experience. Not a bad offer for Zhongnan either, I should think.”
“True enough—a chance to cross hands with a Peerless Expert is a rare opportunity.”
Ordinarily, if a heretical master had proposed a spar for the sake of instructing orthodox disciples, refusal would have been automatic. Yet they had just sealed a temporary alliance, and the other party was the famously free-spirited Green Forest King. His pride would never allow the petty treachery of a backstab right after signing an agreement. Moreover, accepting would grant the third-generation disciples an experience bordering on destiny. To strip them of such a chance would be unworthy of a fellow traveler on the martial path.
“Only—be certain to measure your strength.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to so much as lift a finger.”
Even while holding back, the Green Forest King was a Peerless Expert. Against third-generation disciples the gap was such that a single blow could drive them to death. The “experience” he intended to grant was simply to show them how unyielding a Peerless Expert’s defense could be.
The Green Forest King followed Okwon Jinin out of the Reception Hall toward the training grounds. Three young Taoists already waited there. The Green Forest King studied them one by one with calm attention.
Looks alone aren’t promising. That skinny one looks like a classic technique-type…
The qi aura was soft, the body equally pliant—likely a practitioner of soft-sword arts. He had little to teach those whose temperaments didn’t match his own.
This one, though—broad bones. He’s tempered the body, but he was born with raw strength as well.
A Zhongnan martial artist who seemed to favor fist and palm methods rather than the longsword. Shared physique and shared path of the fist earned him a measure of goodwill.
Hmm?
The moment he examined the third young Taoist, the Green Forest King’s eyes narrowed of their own accord.
What is with this one?
Physical completion was the highest of the three—clear proof of relentless body tempering. Moreover, he could sense no fewer than three distinct currents of qi. Learning multiple natures of mental methods was a hallmark of Zhongnan, yet to have trained them this far while still remaining only first-class was remarkable in itself.
A genius? No… different. I don’t feel that lightning spark unique to the gifted.
Rather, this was a hard worker who had driven himself without mercy, piling up effort layer upon layer.
Of the three, the most ordinary-looking one is the finest. Now that is unexpected.
The pleasant surprise of being struck by a clean blow drew a smile to the Green Forest King’s lips.
Then Okwon Jinin explained why the three had been summoned.
“I called you because the Green Forest King wished to see your faces.”
At the Sect Leader’s words the three stiffened with tension. Had they expected rebuke for their part in destroying Yeonggang Mountain Stronghold? The Green Forest King gave a short laugh.
“I am Im Maengho. In the jianghu they call me the Green Forest King. I hold no grudge over Yeonggang Mountain Stronghold. On the contrary, I feel gratitude, and as a reward I intend to give you a simple lesson.”
He planted himself at a measured distance, arms folded.
“The method is simple. I will not move so much as a hair. Each of you will come forward in turn and unleash a single form.”
It sounded easy. In truth it was anything but. To approach him they would first have to endure the presence he radiated. He was merely leaving unrestrained the qi aura that naturally leaked from him, yet even that would press upon fledglings like a crushing weight. Okwon Jinin had insisted on measured strength, so he would moderate the aura—but closing the distance would still be no simple task.
“One piece of advice: pour your entire life into that single strike.”
His voice was grave. The counsel held a personal enlightenment. Martial artists lived neighboring the boundary of life and death; to seize life amid bloodshed, one had to go beyond desperation and empty one’s whole existence into a single form.
I wonder whether any of them will grasp the true meaning of what I just said.
First the slender young Taoist stepped forward.
“I am Myeonghwa, third-generation disciple of Zhongnan.”
Introduction finished, Myeonghwa drew his sword and charged. The distance was scarcely ten paces, yet with every step his speed visibly faltered. Even moderated, piercing the aura of the Green Forest King’s exclusive art—Mountain Monarch’s Majestic Qi—was grueling. The Green Forest King had half expected him to give up midway.
Oh?
Contrary to expectation, Myeonghwa did not quit. Drawing up every scrap of internal power, he forced his feet forward step by grinding step until at last he stood before the Green Forest King and swung his blade.
Thud.
The instant the sword-edge met the Green Forest King, a sound like striking thick hide rang out and the blade bounced away—blocked by the azure protective qi enveloping him, the Tiger King Armor Skin Art.
Looks aside, the brat has grit.
Drained by forcing his way through the aura, the power behind the sword was pitiful. Still, simply breaking free of the Mountain Monarch’s Majestic Qi was a remarkable achievement for a first-class martial artist.
“Remember that sensation well. It will serve you when you next face another master’s aura.”
“Yes… sir.”
Myeonghwa answered through streams of sweat. Both body and internal energy had been mercilessly overtaxed; the state was only natural. While the unsteady Myeonghwa was helped away, the next disciple stepped up.
“I am Yeobhwa, third-generation disciple of Zhongnan.”
The powerfully built young Taoist finished his introduction and immediately settled into a ready stance.
That stance… not a high-level art—basic fist methods, is it?
With the eye of a Peerless Expert, the Green Forest King instantly recognized the Five Elements Fist Yeobhwa meant to use.
Rather than clumsily forcing advanced techniques, he’ll try to break through with the fundamentals he’s drilled for years. Not a bad choice. Sometimes returning to the basics is better than clever tricks.
Just as expected, Yeobhwa advanced while unfolding the Five Elements Fist, using the wave-force of his jin releases to shove the pouring aura aside.
Using the principle of hardness to push the aura back—he’s using his head.
It was a method possible only because this was instructional sparring rather than a life-and-death match. The formidable jin force born of natural physique married to martial art succeeded in driving back the Green Forest King’s presence and closing the ten paces. Arriving right before him, Yeobhwa’s aura began to pulse violently—preparing to detonate at once all the force accumulated across those ten steps.
The Green Forest King watched in silence. The instant the jin force concentrated in Yeobhwa’s palm struck him—
Thud!
Again, just as with Myeonghwa, the protective qi absorbed every shred of impact. Yeobhwa stared at his own hand and the Green Forest King’s barrier with trembling eyes, as though unable to believe that a full-power strike had been nullified so completely.
“Your jin force is decent thanks to that natural frame, but that’s all it is. Either temper the body further with higher external arts, or accumulate internal power and learn a protective qi art. For a fist master, hardness that protects the body is itself a weapon.”
“I will keep it in mind.”
Yeobhwa pressed both fists together in salute. Perhaps because they shared the path of the fist, the Green Forest King had spoken more than he had with Myeonghwa.
Only one remained.
Now I’m curious how this one will fare.
On foundation alone he already surpassed the previous two. Yet a solid foundation did not guarantee solid results. The Green Forest King hoped the youth would properly display the fruit of all that blood-and-sweat effort.
“I am Cheonhwa, third-generation disciple of Zhongnan.”
The young Taoist finished his introduction and drew the jade-colored wooden sword from his back.
Unusual wooden sword. For mere wood it looks better than most steel blades.
A superior weapon was one thing; piercing the aura was another. The Green Forest King watched to see how Cheonhwa would overcome the presence.
Cheonhwa drew a light breath, then began to draw forth his internal power. Like Myeonghwa before him, he seemed intent on pushing aura with aura—yet something entirely different appeared.
Three kinds of energy… are merging!
A chill black current, a sharp white current, a warm ochre current. As the three true qis fused into one and resonated, they thrust the Mountain Monarch’s Majestic Qi aside with unexpected ease.
Even moderated, he’s pushing the aura back?!
Mere stacking of internal power could never produce such a phenomenon. Only the harmonization of differently natured energies made it possible. Without difficulty Cheonhwa closed the ten paces and stood before the Green Forest King. Then he raised the wooden sword high and wound the three-colored energies around the blade.
Wait—what is that?
In that instant something snagged on the Green Forest King’s senses—not the five senses, not qi sense, but a third faculty: the mind’s eye. It told him that intent was dwelling within the form the young Taoist was about to unleash.
A mere first-class martial artist not only wielding intent but using it to empower a martial form?!
While the Green Forest King reeled in astonishment, Cheonhwa’s raised wooden sword came sweeping down.
Twentieth Form
Clouds Scatter Under Heaven